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Antonyms for fast

Grammar : Adj, adv, noun, verb
Spell : fast, fahst
Phonetic Transcription : fæst, fɑst


Definition of fast

Origin :
  • Old English fæst "firmly fixed, steadfast, secure, enclosed," probably from Proto-Germanic *fastuz (cf. Old Frisian fest, Old Norse fastr, Dutch vast, German fest), from PIE root *past- "firm" (cf. Sanskrit pastyam "dwelling place").
  • The adverb meaning "quickly, swiftly" was perhaps in Old English, or from Old Norse fast, either way developing from the sense of "firmly, strongly, vigorously" (cf. to run hard means to run fast; also compare fast asleep), or perhaps from the notion of a runner who "sticks" close to whatever he is chasing.
  • The sense of "living an unrestrained life" (usually of women) is from 1746 (fast living is from 1745). Fast buck recorded from 1947; fast food is first attested 1951. Fast-forward first recorded 1948. Fast lane is by 1966; the fast track originally was in horse-racing (1934); figurative sense by 1960s. To fast talk someone (v.) is recorded by 1946.
  • adj speedy
  • adj fixed, immovable
  • adj immoral, promiscuous
  • adv speedily
  • adv fixedly
  • noun abstention from eating
  • verb go without food
Example sentences :
  • People looked around at Harriet, but Harriet was fast asleep.
  • Extract from : « Harriet, The Moses of Her People » by Sarah H. Bradford
  • Let me fix your hair and we'll hurry to Vinton's as fast as ever we can.
  • Extract from : « Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus » by Jessie Graham Flower
  • But, fast as you could move, Scottie, powder drives lead a lot faster.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • "Come out of that," he shouted, and made his way through the company as fast as he could.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • I had to walk as fast as I could, and exercise my limbs all I could, in order to keep warm.
  • Extract from : « Biography of a Slave » by Charles Thompson
  • The sun had gone down, and the twilight was fast losing itself in night.
  • Extract from : « Life in London » by Edwin Hodder
  • Hester and the major got Corney to bed, and instantly he was fast asleep.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • I have been getting your eyes open as fast as I could all the time!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • The lady sat with parted lips, and her breath came quick and fast.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle
  • But let the men break their fast, and we shall then take counsel what to do.
  • Extract from : « The White Company » by Arthur Conan Doyle

Synonyms for fast

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019